Montserrat, Missouri – Coal Camp to Ghost Town – Legends of America
Nestled in the heart of Johnson County, Missouri, between the towns of Warrensburg and Knob Noster, lies the quiet, almost forgotten hamlet of Montserrat. Its story is one of rapid growth fueled by the promise of coal, followed by a slow decline into near-oblivion. From a bustling coal mining camp known as Carbon Hill to a present-day ghost town with only a handful of residents, Montserrat’s history is a poignant reflection of the boom-and-bust cycles that characterized many small towns in the American West.
The Genesis of Carbon Hill
The story begins in 1863 with the discovery of coal in the region. Initially, development was limited, with mining operations primarily focused on the drifts of Clear Fork Creek. However, the potential of the coal deposits soon became apparent, leading to more significant development in 1865.
In 1866, the Missouri Pacific Railroad Coal Company, recognizing the value of the resource, took a major step by sinking the first shaft mine. For the next four to five years, the company enjoyed considerable success, providing coal to fuel the expanding railroad network. However, a change in railroad management brought about a shift in patronage, rendering the mining operations unprofitable. The business was suspended for several years, casting a shadow over the fledgling community.
Despite this setback, the spirit of enterprise persisted. Other companies and private individuals continued to explore the coal deposits, experiencing varying degrees of success. Among these determined entrepreneurs was John A. Gallaher, a resident of nearby Knob Noster. Gallaher remained committed to the coal industry, conducting business on a smaller scale and keeping the hope of a prosperous future alive.
A Promising Resource
Geological surveys of the area revealed that the coalbed lay approximately 100 feet beneath the surface. The coal veins themselves averaged about five feet in thickness, suggesting a substantial and accessible resource. The coverage area of the coal deposits was estimated to span three to five miles east and west, and ten to fifteen miles north and south, further highlighting the region’s potential for extensive mining operations.
The quality of the coal was also a significant factor in its appeal. It was classified as superior for railroad purposes due to its ability to generate immense heat. This characteristic provided a strong incentive for continued coal mining in the area, promising economic growth and prosperity for those willing to invest in its extraction.
From Carbon Hill to Montserrat
In August 1870, a pivotal moment arrived when John Gallaher platted a new townsite further west, coinciding with the extension of the Missouri Pacific Railroad to that location. The original settlement of Carbon Hill was situated midway between Montserrat and Knob Noster. As the railroad expanded, the residents and businesses of Carbon Hill recognized the strategic advantage of the new location. They made the collective decision to relocate westward, establishing a new community that Gallaher named Montserrat.
The name Montserrat was inspired by a jagged mountain located approximately 30 miles northwest of Barcelona, Spain. It is believed that Gallaher’s choice was influenced by the elevated site of the town and the serrated hills that stretched southward, creating a visual echo of the Spanish landscape.
Early Days of Growth and Enterprise
The newly established town of Montserrat quickly began to take shape. In 1872, the community received a post office, marking a significant step in its development. C. B. Baker, a local entrepreneur, was appointed as the first postmaster, adding another dimension to his business interests, which included operating a saloon.
Other early businessmen contributed to the town’s growth and diversification. W. H. Anderson, a carpenter, served as the justice of the peace, providing a foundation for law and order. Drs. John W. Gallaher and J.L. Lea practiced medicine and ran a drug store, ensuring the health and well-being of the residents. Lea & Mayes and S. J. LaRue established grocery stores, providing essential supplies to the growing population. H. B. McCracken worked as a drayman, transporting goods and materials throughout the town. D.S. Williams opened a butcher shop, catering to the community’s culinary needs, while J.C. Cooper was one of the pioneer blacksmiths, providing vital services for the town’s industries and residents. The presence of several saloons, operated by John Gibson, George James, and George Penn, reflected the social life and entertainment options available in the burgeoning community.
Flourishing Under New Leadership
In 1875, Thomas H. Boyd arrived in Montserrat and assumed the role of superintendent of the mines owned by the Southwestern Coal Association. This company had acquired or leased over 5,000 acres of land near Montserrat, demonstrating its commitment to large-scale coal mining operations. Boyd’s prior experience in the coal industry proved invaluable, and under his direction, the company flourished. In addition to his responsibilities at the mines, Boyd also managed a large general store, further contributing to the economic vitality of Montserrat.
That same year, John A. Gallaher established the Montserrat Coal Company. The company quickly became a major player in the local coal industry, averaging 400 tons of coal on cars and in chutes daily. This impressive output underscored the significance of coal mining to the town’s economy and its potential for continued growth.
Strikes, Riots, and Convict Labor
The prosperity of Montserrat was not without its challenges. In 1877, a wave of labor unrest swept across the nation, with coal miners in the east initiating strikes and riots. This movement spread westward, eventually reaching Montserrat. In August of that year, the mine workers of Montserrat, dissatisfied with their wages, walked off the job in protest. The strike lasted 30 days and cost the company more than $10,000, highlighting the significant economic impact of labor disputes.
In response to the strike, the company entered into an agreement with the manager of the state penitentiary to employ 300 convicts in the mines. For the next three years, this arrangement proved beneficial to both the Montserrat Coal Company and the State of Missouri, with profits shared between the two entities.
The convict miners were housed in a three-story barrack surrounded by a 15-foot-tall wooden stockade, reflecting the security measures in place to prevent escapes. Armed guards were stationed at vantage points atop the stockade, further reinforcing the containment of the prisoners.
On the evening of November 3, 1877, an incident occurred that would forever mark the history of Montserrat. Deputy Warden W. M. Todd brought out convict Allen Williams to be punished for lying to a guard. After Williams received a whipping, Todd ordered prisoner Charles Butler to be punished for being "loud and unruly." However, Butler refused to leave the barracks, prompting a group of armed guards to enter and forcibly remove him.
As the guards approached Butler, he brandished a red-hot poker from the stove, while another prisoner hurled a stream of obscenities at the guards. The situation quickly escalated as other prisoners joined in, shouting, "Burn it! Burn it!" In the chaos, an oil lamp was thrown directly at Todd, landing on the stairway leading to the sleeping quarters. The lamp ignited a raging inferno, cutting off any means of escape for those upstairs. Two more lamps were thrown, and the entire building was engulfed in flames.
The ensuing scene was one of utter chaos and desperation. Prisoners trapped on the third story jumped from the windows, risking life and limb to escape the flames. Those on the second story followed suit, landing in a tangled mass of human bodies on the ground below. Guards opened fire on those attempting to flee, adding to the carnage.
In the aftermath of the riot, 21 prisoners suffered burns and injuries from jumping or gunshot wounds, and three died. Despite the chaos, no convicts were able to escape, and the remaining prisoners were soon returned to work in the mines. White and Butler, the instigators of the riot, were taken to the penitentiary in leg irons and placed in isolation cells to await their punishment.
Warden Willis quickly returned to Montserrat with lumber and rebuilt the stockade and quarters, demonstrating the determination to maintain the convict labor system. The rest of 1877 passed without serious incident, and the convicts continued to work in the mines for another two years.
Decline and Abandonment
By 1880, Montserrat had grown to a population of 255 people and boasted brick and rail yards, churches, and a grocery store. In addition to the coal miners, the area was home to fertile farms and stock lands, where crops such as wheat, corn, hay, and oats were cultivated.
However, the prosperity of Montserrat was not destined to last. In the following decades, the coal deposits began to dwindle, and the population gradually declined. By 1902, the remaining coal was found to be of inferior quality, leading to the abandonment of most of the mines. By 1910, the population had fallen to 157, but Montserrat still maintained three churches, both a white and African American school, a physician, several stores, and a blacksmith shop.
Montserrat’s post office, a symbol of its connection to the outside world, closed its doors forever in 1954. Today, the town consists of just a few houses and a handful of residents, a silent testament to its once-thriving past.
Montserrat, Missouri, stands as a poignant reminder of the ephemeral nature of boomtowns. Its story, from coal camp to ghost town, is a microcosm of the rise and fall of many small communities that once dotted the American landscape, leaving behind a legacy of resilience, enterprise, and the enduring echoes of a bygone era.